E17 | 5 steps to a great writing process

Scott Wentworth knows how to write. He’s made a career out of it and uses those skills to help planners.

Growing from a necessity to a passion, now Scott is the CEO and Founder of Wentworth Financial Communications. His firm is dedicated to compliant writing for financial service firms.

You can use his strategy whether you prefer to use a white piece of paper of techy mind-mapping software. Scott shares a workflow process that results in a more organized and higher caliber, end product. By compartmentalizing using the steps he outlines you can compartmentalize each of the challenges of the writing process and free your mind to allow you to find creativity at each point of the process. His results are world class. This podcast will help you whether you are a DIY planner or if you have your own digital marketer, communication specialist or business coach.

Writing is a process composed of succinct steps ~Scott Wentworth

Scott shares his technique to become a better and more efficient writer. He has five steps that he uses to guide his writing process. They’re easy to implement, though its important to take each step seriously.

Brainstorming –

Don’t worry about how it’ll look on the page later. Start by deciding *what* you’re going to talk about and why you want to talk about it

Research –

Learn what you don’t know. Find what other opinions are out there. What else can you learn? What do the skeptics say?

Outlining –

This step will provide you with a quantum leap in your writing quality. You need to guide your reader’s attention. If you don’t take the time to outline and organize your thoughts, you’re likey to just confuse, rather than educate, your reader.

Writing –

Find your style. Follow your outline. Bring in the points you researched. Share “link juice” by referring to other relevant information. Take your time as you “put the meat on the bones” from the work you did in the previous steps.

Editing –

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: Give it time. Let your writing marinate. Give it some distance and give yourself a chance to reflect. Maybe even share the writing with a colleague to get their take.

You’ll want to listen in on the episode to learn what’s next when Scott shares his two types of proof reading.

About the Author

Jake is trained as a Certified Digital Marketing Professional.
He is called to connect true financial planning professionals with their clients and prospects through effective digital marketing.
He understands the needs and concerns of the financial planning profession and the wide range of regulatory compliance needs and concerns.